The Washington critic., 1887-04-27
MISS MARIETTA HoLLEY.
The Author of Sweet Cicely,"
"Joshun Aliens Wife," Etc.

tht hutnpt VI NNttN ,i'Nh9f
"Joshua Aliens WIFE," Etc.
There Is stopping at wnlard's Hotel a
quiet woman, who has Just disposed OF the
Ms. OF the last OF number Of popular
books for the snug sum OF $1,000 In hard
cash. This woman is Miss Marietta Hol-
ley, the author OF "Joshua Aliens Wife"
"Sweet Cicely," and other works. Her
new book, Samantha at Saratoga" is now
in the hands OF Messrs. Hubbard Bros. Of
Philadelphia, and will be published in June.
Miss llolley is successful writer, whose
books have brought her something more
than money. That is, the sort of near
and warm affection We feel for our chosen
neighbor who helps us bear our sorrows
and shares In our Joys. Such writers as
Miss Phelps or Miss Burnett we take into
the parlor OF our hearts, as IL were. But
Louisa Alcott and Miss lIolley we lead into
the 'llyipg room," and give them the
cosiest place by the ilreside along with
Dickens and our own humorlst, Burdetto.
There is probably no more modest woman
living than Miss Iolley. AS she sat with
number Of women press representatives the
other evening, and kindly allowed them to
stare politely at her aud ask lnnumerable
questions, she looked like martyr Indeed,
but utlnhNlINNlNtlN Atll NuuN but NuN
wardly, like the martyred Samantha: "John
Rogers, Q children and one at the breast,
ilatrons, thumbscrews and gridirons ~
That quotation may not be exactly correct
but 1t is quoted In spirit OF correctness.
The author and ilnisher of the immortal
Samantha is woman probably about 40
years OF age. She is Of medium height, and
has pair Of very dark and expressive gray
eyes. Her hair Is dark aud slightly streaked
with cray. She has good and well formed
features, and is OF that degree OF plumpness
which seems characteristic of the success
ful woman writer, who Is done with the
wearing work OF climbing up the hill OF
fame.
She is the daughter OF farmer, and be
gan her literary work some twenty or moro
years ago. Her history Is much the same
as that of other writers, except that she
gained success more quickly than some.
She wrote because II was in her to write,
and now, with the best years Of her life be.
fore her, she Ia enjoying the well-earned
fruits OF her labors. She Is rich woman.
She has hosts Of friends, some Of whom
meet with her daily, aud many more who
will never feel her friendly hindclasp or
hear her kindly voice, but who will always
love and reverence her for the merry hours
she has brought into their lives.
"1he sad old earth must borrow It's
mirth II has troubles enough OF Its own"
our young Western poet wrote. And thus
1t is that "Samauthan is known so widely.
We go to her to forget our cares, aud 1t is
source Of pride 10 us, IS it must be to her
Creator, that she never says anything to
cause us to be ashamed Of her, and that her
good words are as plentiful as her witty
ones.
Miss lIolley is on her fret visit to Washing
ton and is delighted with the city. She
went down to Mount Vernon Saturday to
see II she had described It correctly In
''Sweet Clcely." She found that she had
done so. She paid visit to Mrs. Cleye-
land and was charmed with the beautiful
mistress OF the White House. She has been
In the city two weeks and will remain un-
I'll Saturday when she leaves for New York.
1t was hard to believe that the quiet,
modest woman, who did not express herself
easily and who biushed like a school girl at
mention Of her works, was the woman who
has written the books we have laughed and
cried over. But genius is always modest
and may it always be MS pure and kind and
charming as "Joshua Aliens Wife, Daugh-
tar OF j. Smith, Esq" MARY DURHAM.
Washington, April 81.